Handle device for a watersports board

ABSTRACT

A handle device for a watersports board. The handle device includes a base portion configured to protrude from a top surface of the watersports board, and a handle portion attached to the base portion, wherein the handle portion is configured to be positioned offset from a longitudinal axis of said watersports board.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and benefit of co-pending U.S. Application No. 61/826,833, filed on May 23, 2013, entitled “HANDLE DEVICE FOR WATERSPORTS BOARD,” by Lucas McLelan.

This application claims priority to and benefit of co pending U.S. Application No. 61/892,651, filed on Oct. 18, 2013, entitled “WATERSPORTS BOARD,” by Lucas McLelan.

This application is related to co-pending U.S. Application No ______, filed on ______, entitled “WATERSPORTS BOARD,” by Lucas McLelan.

BACKGROUND

Learning to surf on a surfboard can be challenging to various types of surfers. In particular, it is difficult for a novice or disabled surfer to maintain balance when attempting to surf on a surfboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this Specification, illustrate various embodiments and, together with the Description of Embodiments, serve to explain principles discussed below. The drawings referred to in this brief description of the drawings should not be understood as being drawn to scale unless specifically noted.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of an isometric view of a handle device.

FIG. 2 depicts an embodiment of top view of a handle device in combination with a board.

FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of cross-sectional view of a handle device in combination with a board.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of an isometric view of a handle device

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of top view of a handle device in combination with a board.

FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of top view of a handle device in combination with a board.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While various embodiments are discussed herein, it will be understood that they are not intended to be limiting. On the contrary, the presented embodiments are intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope the various embodiments as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in this Description of Embodiments, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. However, embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well known methods, procedures, and components, have not been described in detail as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the described embodiments.

FIG. 1 depicts an embodiment of handle device 100 configured to releasably attach to a watersports board (e.g., a surfboard). In general, handle device 100 is utilized to facilitate in the training of a person to surf or ride a surfboard. For example, a rider (e.g., a child, adult, physically disabled person, etc.) may not have the requisite experience, balance, coordination, strength, etc. to properly ride the surfboard. However, by utilizing handle device 100, which is attached the surfboard, the rider is able to hold on to the handle device while riding the surfboard. In some instances, handle device 100 is utilized as a training tool for children in learning how to ride a surfboard.

Handle device 100 includes handle portion 110, base portion 120, and releasable attachment portion 130.

Handle portion 110 is configured for a rider to grasp while riding a surfboard. Handle portion 110 is depicted as a straight bar. However, handle portion 110 can be any shape or configuration that is compatible for a surfboard rider to comfortably grasp while riding a surfboard, For example, handle portion 110 may include grips or the like.

Base portion 120 is configured to be releasably and securely retained in a surfboard via releasable attachment portion 130. In general, base portion 120 is comprised of material that provides sufficient strength and stiffness such that a rider is able to grasp onto handle portion 110 and ride the surfboard without the base portion 120 collapsing, bending, etc. Base portion 120 can be comprised of, but not limited to, aluminum, PVC, semi-rigid polymer, etc.

In one embodiment, base portion 120 is rigid. In another embodiment, base portion 120 is resiliently flexible. That is, base portion 120 is able to be rigid, however, it is able collapse or flex when a certain amount of force is applied to it. For example, if a rider falls down while riding the surfboard, base portion 120 is able to collapse such that it does not injure the falling rider. Additionally, the collapsed base portion is able to resiliently spring back into its original position.

In another embodiment, base portion 120 is telescopic. That is, the height of handle portion 110 may be adjusted by telescopically adjusting base portion 120.

Releasable attachment portion 130 is configured to releasably attach to the surfboard. Releasable attachment portion 130 can be any attachment means or mechanism that is able to quickly and securely attach and detach with the surfboard. For example, releasable attachment portion 130 can be, but is not limited to, a friction fit attachment, a threaded attachment, a quick disconnect attachment, etc.

Handle device 100 may also include insert 140. Insert 140 is configured to be inserted into a surfboard and that physically engages with releasable attachment portion 130. For example, insert 140 can be, but is not limited to, a friction fit attachment, a threaded attachment, a quick disconnect attachment, etc. that physically mates with releasable attachment portion 130.

In various embodiments, handle device 100 or at least portions thereof are buoyant such that handle device 100 is able to float.

FIGS. 2 and 3 depict embodiments of handle device 100 mounted onto a watersports board 200. In particular, FIG. 3 is a top view of handle device 100 attached to watersports board 200, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view of handle device attached to watersports board 200.

In various embodiments, watersports board 200 is a surfboard. For example, board 200 can be any various type of surfboard, such as, but not limited to, a longboard, shortboard, gun, fish, soft top, paddle board, etc.

Board 200 can be any watersports board that is able to be propelled by a naturally occurring wave, such as an ocean wave. However, board 200 can also be propelled by a human created wave, such as a wave generated in a wave park.

In one embodiment, board 200 is a self-propelling. For example, board 200 generates a forward thrust provided by an impeller powered by an electric motor. Accordingly, board 200 can be propelled by both a naturally occurring wave and an impeller.

In various embodiments, board 200 is not required to be a skim board, wake board, snow board, etc. Moreover, board 200 is not required to include any feet retaining features, such as but not limited to, straps, bindings, etc. However, board 200 may include a pad or the like that increases the friction of the foot on the board but does not physically retain or hold the foot on the board.

Board 200 includes, among other things, top surface 210 (or deck), tip 223 (or nose), tail 222 and at least one fin 240.

Fin 240 is disposed in a back portion 220 of board 200. Board 200 can include any number of fins that protrude from the bottom surface.

Typically, while a rider is riding a wave on board 200, the rider stands in back portion 220 and also stands off to one side of center line 230 (e.g., longitudinal axis). That is, to properly balance while riding a wave, the rider stands off to the side of board 200.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, handle device 100 is positioned in back portion 220 and on either side of centerline 230. In one embodiment, back portion 220 is any portion on top surface 210 that is in the back half of board 200.

In various embodiments, insert 140 and insert 141 are inserted into board 200. For example, insert 140 is placed on the right hand side of center line 230 and insert 142 is placed on the left hand side of center line 230.

In one embodiment, board 200 is a soft top board and a hole is created in the board such that the inserts are able to be securely retained within the board.

If a rider has a regular stance (where the rider's left foot is the leading foot and the riders right foot is the trailing foot near the back portion of the board), the rider's body will generally face the right hand side of the board. Accordingly, handle device 100 is releasably retained on the right hand side of center line 230, for example, in insert 140. This enables the rider to hold onto handle portion 110, that is offset from centerline 230 (on the right hand side) and in back portion 220, such that the rider has proper position on board 200 to keep his or her balance while riding a wave (e.g., right or left breaking wave).

Likewise, if a rider has a “goofy foot” stance (where the rider's right foot is the leading foot and the rider's left foot is the trailing foot near the back portion of the board), the rider's body will generally face the left hand side of the board. Accordingly, handle device 100 is releasably retained on the left hand side of center line 230, for example, in insert 141. This enables the rider to hold onto handle portion 110, that is offset from centerline 230 (on the left hand side) and in back portion 220, such that the rider has proper position on board 200 to keep his or her balance while riding a wave (e.g., right or left breaking wave).

In one embodiment, handle portion 110 is parallel with centerline 223. In another embodiment, handle portion 110 is positioned at an angle with respect to centerline 223 (see FIG. 5).

It should be appreciated that the cross-sectional view of board 200, as depicted in FIG. 3, can include other various surfboard shapes and features, such as one or more rockers, a thicker middle section and thinner tip and tail sections, etc.

FIG. 4 depicts an embodiment of handle device 400. Handle device 400 it the same as handle device 100, however, releasable attachment portion 430 is configured to releasably attach to the top surface 210 of board 200.

Releasable attachment portion 430 is any feature that facilitates in releasably securing base portion 120 to top surface 210. Releasable attachment portion 430 is any feature that extends in the boards longitudinal and latitudinal directions. For example, releasable attachment portion 430 is a base plate that secures bate portion 120 in the board's longitudinal and latitudinal directions. In other words, releasable attachment portion 430 enables handle device to be securely attached to board 200 when a rider to applies a force to handle device 100.

Releasable attachment portion 430 can be any physical shape or configuration that facilitates in securely and releasably attaching handle device 100 to the top surface of board 200. For example, releasable attachment portion 430 can be a square plate, circular plate, etc.

In other embodiments, releasable attachment portion 430 is in the shape of an “X” or an “H,” or the like, wherein base portion 120 extends from the middle of the “X” or the “H.”

In one embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 5, releasable attachment portion 430 is a hook and loop fastener (e.g., Velcro™) that releasably attaches to a mating hook and loop fastener pad that is adhered to top surface 210. In this embodiment, releasable attachment portion 430 is positioned on the left hand side of board 200 such that handle portion 120 is located on the left hand side of board 200.

Additionally, handle portion 110 is able to rotate with respect to base portion 120 to provide additional adjustments to particularly suit a rider.

Referring now to FIG. 6, releasable attachment portion 430 is retained to board 200 by straps 632 and 633. That is, straps 632 and 633 wrap around the circumference of board 200 to secure handle device 100 to board 200. The straps can be elastic or non-elastic. The straps can include various types of buckles or fasteners to adjust the tension of the straps.

It should be appreciated, that releasable attachment portion 430 can be positioned such that handle device 100 can located at any location along the top surface of board 200.

Example embodiments of the subject matter are thus described. Although various embodiments of the have been described in a language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims and their equivalents. Moreover, examples and embodiments described herein may be implemented alone or in various combinations with one another. 

1. A handle device for a watersports board comprising: a base portion configured to protrude from a top surface of said watersports board; and a handle portion attached to said base portion, wherein said handle portion is configured to be positioned offset from a longitudinal axis of said watersports board.
 2. The handle device of claim 1, further comprising: a releasable attachment portion configured to releasably attach to said watersports board.
 3. The handle device of claim 2, wherein said releasable attachment portion is further configured to be selectively positioned at various locations about said watersports board such that said handle portion is positioned offset from said longitudinal axis of said watersports board.
 4. The handle device of claim 2, wherein said releasable attachment portion comprises: a threaded portion at a distal end of said base portion.
 5. The handle device of claim 2, wherein said releasable attachment portion further comprises: a strap configured to wrap around said watersports board.
 6. The handle device of claim 1, wherein said base portion is rigid.
 7. The handle device of claim 1, further comprising: an insert configured to be disposed within said watersports board and to couple with a distal end of said base portion.
 8. The handle device of claim 1, wherein said handle portion is configured to rotate with respect to said base portion.
 9. The handle device of claim 1, wherein said base portion is further configured to protrude at a rear portion of said watersports board.
 10. The handle device of claim 1, wherein said watersports board is a surfboard comprising at least one fin.
 11. A handle device for a watersports board comprising: a base portion configured to protrude from a top surface of said watersports board; a handle portion attached to said base portion; and a releasable attachment portion attached to said base portion, wherein said releasable attachment portion is configured to releasably attach to said watersports board at various positions on said watersports board such that said handle device is able to be selectively positioned on said watersports board.
 12. The handle device of claim 11, wherein said handle portion is configured to be positioned off-center from a longitudinal axis of said watersports board.
 13. The handle device of claim 11, further comprising; an insert configured to be disposed within said watersports board and to attach with said releasable attachment portion.
 14. The handle device of claim 11, wherein said releasable attachment portion further comprises: a strap configured to attach said releasable attachment portion to said watersports board.
 15. The handle device of claim 11, wherein said base portion is rigid.
 16. The handle device of claim 11, wherein said base portion is further configured to protrude at a rear portion of said watersports board.
 17. A watersports board system comprising: a watersports board; and a handle device comprising: a base portion configured to protrude from a top surface of said watersports board; and a handle portion attached to said base portion, wherein said handle portion is configured to be positioned offset from a longitudinal axis of said watersports board.
 18. The watersports board system of claim 17, wherein said watersports board comprises: a surfboard comprising a fin.
 19. The watersports board system of claim 17, wherein said handle device is configured to protrude at a rear portion of said watersports board.
 20. The watersports board system of claim 17, wherein said handle device is configured to releasably attach to said watersports board at various selected positions on said watersports board. 